Puruṣottama-kṣetra Māhātmya: Śveta-Mādhava & Matsya-Mādhava; Mārkaṇḍeya-tīrtha Mārjana and Bath Liturgy
कृत्वैवं कवचं पश्चादात्मानं चिंतयेत्ततः । अहं नारायणो देवः शंखचक्रगदाधरः ॥ ५१ ॥
kṛtvaivaṃ kavacaṃ paścādātmānaṃ ciṃtayettataḥ | ahaṃ nārāyaṇo devaḥ śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ || 51 ||
このように護身のカヴァチャ(kavaca)を修したのち、次に自らを観想せよ。「我はナーラーヤナ(Nārāyaṇa)なる神なる主、法螺(śaṅkha)と円盤(cakra)と棍棒(gadā)を執る者なり」と。
Narada (teaching in a dialogic instruction style, traditionally to the Sanatkumara tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
It teaches that after completing the kavaca (protective rite), the practitioner should internalize divine identity through dhyāna—contemplating Nārāyaṇa’s presence as the indwelling Self, symbolized by the conch, discus, and mace.
Bhakti here is not only external ritual protection but intimate remembrance: the devotee meditates on Nārāyaṇa’s form and nearness, cultivating single-pointed devotion and surrender through continuous contemplation.
The verse points to prayoga (ritual procedure) followed by dhyāna (meditative application): a practical sequencing used in mantra-śāstra and ritual manuals—performing the kavaca first, then stabilizing the mind through contemplation.